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| Attitude Adjustment |
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I have had a couple of people mention to me in the last few days, that they need to improve their attitudes, and I just read something in a book that I am reading (Soul Matters for the Heart), that is about attitudes, and thought I should share some thoughts, especially since I think I should improve my attitude too!
The reading from the bible on this subject in the book I am reading is Phillipians 2:3-11.
2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 2:6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 2:8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 2:9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I think of the negative people that I have been around, and how negative and bad they make me feel, just by their attitude towards life. Then I think of the people who seem to have a zest for life itself, and it brings a smile to my face just to be around them! Shouldn't I try to always be positive instead of negative? Of course, but it isn't so easy. Things go wrong every day; people don't do what we want them to do...they are rude, disrespectful, negative. Bills come in the mail and you wonder how you are going to pay for them. People are sick. The car breaks down. Some appliance breaks down. Relationships falter. There are a million and one reasons not to smile...but one BIG reason to smile. As a Christian we are SAVED, and although this life holds many trials and problems, we will spend eternity in the presence of the Lord, and all will be right.
In the meantime though, how do we maintain a positive attitude in a world of negativity? 'Soul Matters for the Heart' gives some suggestions:
-Smile- 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
-Say Thank You often-
3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.
-Forgive Fast-
4:26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
-Be Proactive-
10:24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, -Watch your words- 4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.
-Cheer up someone else-
6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. If we could do all of these without fail, wouldn't that be something? I know it isn't easy, but if we try to make a conscious effort to do it, our attitudes will improve.
The next time you see someone with a frown on their face, smile at them.
The next time someone does something nice, or just something they are supposed to do (i.e. I always say thank you to the cashier at the grocery, or at the fast food restaurant, etc.)give them a thanks!
The next time someone does something to hurt or offend you, whether it be someone close to you, or someone you hardly know (that guy that cuts you off on the interstate), forgive them quickly.
If you don't like the way something is going, then do something about it! It only makes you feel more negative if you complain about things!
Think before you speak (here is where people like me have an advantage, since I don't speak much!), heed the old saying "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".
When you say something to help someone else who is hurting, it will make you feel so much better about life. If you can help them to have faith and hope, it will remind you of what faith and hope is, instead of dwelling on the negative.
For me, the hardest person to remain positive around is my husband. And I would imagine, if I had kids, they would push me to my limits as well. Those that we live with and are around on a daily basis, are the ones we need to concentrate the most on maintaining a positive attitude with.
If you have something on this subject that you want to share, please post it. Maybe some way you have found that helps you maintain a positive attitude. I would appreciate it! |
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| To add a comment to "Attitude Adjustment" |
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| May 19, 2007 |
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| THANK YOU!!! This is exactly what I needed to read today. I'm going to copy it and print it...it needs to be hanging on my fridge. |
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| May 19, 2007 |
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How did you know how my week went? Things go wrong every day; people don't do what we want them to do...they are rude, disrespectful, negative. Bills come in the mail and you wonder how you are going to pay for them. People are sick. The car breaks down. Some appliance breaks down.
That would be me! It is hard to remain positive. I just keep reminding myself that "greater is He that is in me..." I learned a long time ago that I was going to walk through this life one way or another. I could go through it dragging my feet, with my head hanging (EEyore) or go through it looking to the Light on the hill. I choose the latter, but it is something I choose many times a day...like you said, it doesn't come easy.
Thanks for the great words this morning. |
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| May 28, 2007 |
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| Just what I needed as well! And how fortunate that I read it before I left for work today, so I can try to apply it today. God bless, and thank you for this message. |
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